What is more difficult: pood or berkovets. Interesting metrology

Probably, it is difficult to find a Russian person who did not hear the word "pood". However, not everyone was faced with another primordially Russian measure of weight, which is called "Berkovtsem". What is it, or rather, how much? Consider in the historical context the relationship between these two measures of weight, we will clarify that the heavier is pud or berkovets, and also discuss a few other interesting points related to their use in the culture of Ancient Rus.

Historical reference

It should start with the fact that both measures of weight are already seriously outdated, but if the word "pood" is found in modern language, although infrequently, but still happens, the "Berkovets" have long been buried as useless. It is not surprising, because the first mention of the use of measuring weighing systems applies already to the tenth century of our era, and what now in the yard, I think, can not be recalled. Why did you need a weight measuring system? The thing is that it is at this time that serious trade relations between different regions begin to develop, which inevitably required some sort of standardization of the exchange systems. This led to the emergence of these heavyweights in use.

So, how much does pood weigh (in kg)? Almost any schoolboy will answer this question. Of course, about 16 kilograms. Probably many guys tried in the youth to pull a sixteen kilogram weight, and, I want to believe, is not unsuccessful. Be that as it may, this weight is firmly held in memory, and associatively, from the depths of consciousness, the word "pood" appears. With the second mentioned measure of weight, everything is much more complicated. And although the Berkovets were used at the same time at the same time, the pood was fixed in everyday life, as it was closer to the reality of the average person. To his vital life needs, not connected with the measurement of heavy loads.

What is harder?

On the question of what is harder, pood or Berkovets, the answer is unequivocal: of course, the last one. As it was used for weighing the heaviest loads, mainly in wholesale trade. Basically, to measure the mass of such goods as honey, potash, wax. How much does the Berber man weigh? Exactly ten poods. Simple and convenient, is not it? And although there were other names in the system of weights of Ancient Rus, it was the pood and the Berkovo who reliably established themselves as the most convenient from the point of view of measuring the heavy loads operated by wholesalers of those times.

The origin of the word "pood"

Consider both units of weight in terms of their origin. Pud was initially equal to forty pounds. This, incidentally, is another widely used in Russia measure of weight, but not about it in this material. The name puda goes back to the pre-Slavonic word, which came from Latin. And it meant "weight". So the origin is quite obvious and hints at why it came about.

Origin of the word "Berkovets"

The history of the appearance of the Berkovitsa, or Berkowska (even such a designation can be found in ancient sources) is somewhat more ornate. In this measure of weight, you can catch the Swedish name after the Russian town - Bjerke. Now it's just Primorsk, and once - something difficult to reproduce in Russian. And what was more often used - Berkovets or poods? It turns out that both words are often mentioned in the Novgorod and Pskov annals. However, their paths diverged in the historical perspective. And if the first has practically sunk into oblivion, the second one can be met even in the modern slang language in different combinations.

By the way, Berkovesk, from which the most used form of this word has gone, was originally an adjective. There are reasons to believe that it happened from the phrase "Berkovsky Pud", all from the same Swedish settlement mentioned just above. And since this settlement was an important transport hub on the trade route from Scandinavia to Asia and Byzantium, and the most popular goods on this route were salt, wax, etc., then in the name of the measure of weight traders began to manage , This word was fixed.

It is rather difficult to imagine a reader thinking about the question, what is more difficult: pood or Berkovets? Since the use of the latter is quite specific and occurs only in narrow historical circles. However, we hope that the information was useful. And now, if there is a need to explain what was used to measure the heaviest loads: Berkovets or poods, the reader will not be lost anymore, but will be able to flash knowledge about Ancient Rus.

Conclusion

The affairs of the days gone by do not often interest the reader turning over the pages of Internet publications, but knowledge of history is never wasted. If a person learns something new about his native history, about roots going into the deep ages, he will always come across cognitive and necessarily useful information. We tried in this article to answer the question: "What's harder: pood or Berkovets?" History stores a lot of very interesting secrets that hide the real roots of man, his behavior, thoughts, hopes and hopes. I want to believe that entertaining metrology has brought at least a small desire to learn more about the amazing reality that took place ten centuries ago.